USPGA suspend ‘ridiculous’ rule

The rule that cost Jim Furyk his place in the first of the FedEx Cup play-offs has been suspended.
The rule that cost Jim Furyk his place in the first of the FedEx Cup play-offs last week has been suspended for the rest of the US Tour season.
Furyk slept in and missed his tee-off time in the pro-am on the eve of The Barclays in New Jersey and was disqualified from the tournament itself.
Phil Mickelson called it “ridiculous” and added: “I cannot disagree with it more – I have no idea how the commissioner let this rule go through.”
Now commissioner Tim Finchem has announced that it will not apply the rule any more this year.
“Hereafter, should a player be late for his pro-am starting time, the situation will be handled as a matter of unbecoming conduct,” said a PGA Tour statement.
“Such player will be required to participate in the remainder of the pro-am round and may be required to perform additional sponsor activity.
“A player who misses his pro-am obligation in its entirety will still be ruled ineligible for the tournament unless he has been excused in accordance with the provisions of the regulations.
“The commissioner has asked the Player Advisory Council and Player Directors to evaluate the current pro-am regulations to determine whether alternative measures can effectively ensure that players honour their pro-am obligations without placing them at risk of disqualification.
“The matter will be discussed at the Policy Board meeting in November.”
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